Mechanical movement



F. A. LANE MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Nov. 15, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 11, 1946 INVENTOR.

FRED A. LANE,

ATTORNEY NOV. 15, 1949 LANE MECHANICAL MOVEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 11, 1946 JNVENTOR.

B FHEDALANE,

ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 15, 1949 MECHANICAL MOVEMENT Fred A. Lane, Shelburn, Ind., assignor to Lane Motors, Inc., Terre Haute, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Application April 11, 1946, Serial No. 661,373

14 Claims.

The present invention relates 'to a mechanical movement, and is particularly concerned with a device for converting rotary movement into reciprocatory movement, or vice versa. Further objects of the invention are to provide an extremely exact device for converting movement, whose efliciency shall be high, whose cost of production shall be low, and which shall be of such character that its rate of wear and susceptibility to breakdown shall likewise be very low. Further objects of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, my invention may be embodied in the forms illustrated and described in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only, and that change may be made in the specific constructions illustrated and described, so long as the scope of the appended claims is not violated.

Fig. l is a broken perspectiv view of one embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary end elevation of said device;

Figs. 4 to 7 are diagrammatic views illustrating the operation of the device;

Fig. 8 is an end elevation of a modified form of my invention; and

Fig. 9 is a plan view thereof, parts being shown in section.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 to 3 inclusive, it will be seen that I have illustrated the conventional base Ill in which my mechanical movement is mounted. A pair of allochiral side plates I I and I2 are associated with opposite sides of an annular rotor I3. On one side, said rotor is formed with a trackway I4, defined by a pair of annular flanges, and on its opposite side, said rotor is formed with a similar, concentric trackway I likewise defined by a pair of annular flanges. Said rotor is further formed with a chordal socket It so positioned as to intersect the inner periphery ll of the rotor, as at I8. The open end of said socket I 6 is closed by a suitably formed plug 46 held in lace by screws 41 or other suitable fastening means.

The plate I l is formed with an axially projecting annular flange I9 fitting within the mrackway I4, and a suitable antifriction bushing is interposed between the flange I9 and the outer one of the flanges defining the trackway I4. The construction is such that the flange IS- and the bushing 20 form an oil-sealing journal support for the rotor I3. Similarly, the plate I2 is formed with a corresponding flange 2| carrying a corresponding bushing 22 and received within the trackway I5. The plates II and I2 are connected together by means of a series of bolts 23.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the outer periphery of the rotor I3 is formed with a V-groove 24 for the reception of a belt 25, whereby the rotor may be driven, or whereby the rotor ma drive an external mechanism.

The plate II is formed with an aperture 26 whose center is offset from the axis Of the rotor I3; and a cylinder 21 is mounted upon the external surface of the plate in enveloping relationship with said aperture 26. As shown, the cylinder 21 is provided at one end with a flange 28 arranged at an angle other than to the axis of the cylinder and secured to the plate II by means of screws 29, or the like. The bore 3!] of the cylinder 21 has its axis so related to the surface of the plate II as to intersect the axis of the rotor I3.

A piston 3I is reciprocably mounted in said. cylinder bore 30, and a connecting rod 32 extends into the region of intersection of the axes of said cylinder bore 30 and said rotor I3. In that region, the connecting rod 32 is formed with a bore 33.

Reciprocably and oscillably mounted in the socket I6 is an element 34 which is likewise formed with a transverse bore 35. Said element 34 and the piston rod 32 are connected by means of a pin 36 one end of which is oscillably received in the bore 35 of the element 34, and the other end Of which is oscillaby and reciprocabl received in the bore 33 of the connecting rod 32.

The plate I2 is likewise formed with an aperture 3I off-set from the axis of the rotor I3, the position of the aperture 31 being such that its center lies in the line defined by the axis of the cylinder bore 30. A second cylinder 38, having a flange 39 suitably angularly related thereto, is mounted upon the plateIZ by fastening means (not shown) cooperating with said flange 39 and the plate I2. The axis of the bore 40 of the cylinder 33 is aligned with the axis of the cylinder bore 30. Reci-procably mounted in said cylinder bore 40 is a piston 4| carried upon the said connecting rod 32.

Preferably, the element 34 will be formed with a longitudinally extending oil passage 42 communicating with the bore 35 and with a radially opening port 43 which opens through the peripheral surface of that portion of the element 34 which is normally disposed within the region I8 in which the socket I6 intersects the inner periphery of the rotor I3. The pin 36 is formed with a longitudinally extending oil passage 44 which opens into the bore 35, and therefore communicates with pass-age 62; and which also communicates with a radially opening port 45 disposed, at times, within the bore 33.

In Fig. 4, kl .rliave :diagrammatically illustrated the elements 32, L34 and-336 in thepositions which they assume at a time when the piston connecting rod 32 is substantially at one end of its stroke. That position is 90 in advance of the position.of the parts illustrated in Fig. 1. Thus, whenthe element 34 is in a substantially vertic-ahposition and removed from the position illustrated .in Fig. 1 substantially 90 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, the piston 3| will .be substantially at the outer end of its cylinder, while the piston 4i will be substantially fullylretracted from its cylinder. Now, as the rotor turns in a .counter-clock.vvise direction as .viewed :in Fig. .1, .the zangularrrelationship between .theiaxisof .the connecting rod 32 vand.the axisrofthe .rotor 113 will cause said .connectingrod {t .be moved v.towardthe. left, as -.view.ed .imFig. 1, tothaposition illustrated in:Fig. 1. .Meantime,-,of-..course,-;-the .element ,34\will be rocked-aboutits axis in a.clocktwise direction as viewed from .the left 20f -:Fig. .1. .The condition of the .partstisillustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 5.

As .the rotor-I 3:contim1esrto rotate, the element 34 ---will be .carried :into .a aver-tical position .at the slefthandrside (at-Fig.1 andwillcbe;further'rocked .in .aclockwise. direction. Meantime,.-a-stheparts have :moved v.from' the ;.position .-.of.-Fig. 4 .to the position .of Fig.1 6, the .-element-.3.4 will rhave -.been Lreciprooatedirom .the righthandilimitof its po- =.sition,--as'viewed.-.in 3, to the-lef-thand limit of its position. .The parts .now .occupy the po- .-sitions rillustrated :in Jiig. :6.

v.eAnotherQO of rotation of-the-rrotorII-3-will carry the parts into the positions illustrateddmFi-g. 7, tin which ."the pistons =-3I :and -4I .ag-ain occupy .median positions; and a further 90-.of-rotation :ofwthe IIOllOI I3-will carry the -.parts:into the positions illustrated in :Fig. 4.

The treciproca'ti'on of element 34,: and the fact that the port 43 opens into the chamberrdefined by-the sideplates l l'iandli andttheinnerxperiph- :ery .o'f the rIOtOI I 3, .produces:an-.oil pumping :action which will :result in circulation of -oil :through i the passages: in thei-elements 34 ?and "3t ito improve the wlubrication of the :mechanism. (of .-:course, :the said -:chamber ;'defined -by-the aside platesrandthe. inner periphery of the-.rotorat all times :contains *011.

:Inv Figs.-.8-=and-. 9, -I-.'have shown a modifiedform 40f my invention, .in which an 'electric :motor =or tgeneratorsiszbuilthinto thennit. .-Side;plates -I-II sand I t2 cooperate with an annular rotor 1+3 which is z'formed-with=concentric 'annular track-- aways 1H4 and H5 (On its :opposite faces. :Said zrotords provided with a:socket E6 which. intersects tthe inner periphery 'I I.'1 (thereof tin 'the region indicated Ibyzthe=reference numeral .8. .Axially rinwardl-y .proj'ecting peripheral :fianges .HQ and .I:2I -..on the :side \plates support antirfriction bushings 1:2Ql21'1d $22 to: provide an .oil sealing, journal mounting for the: rotor :I li3i-whose .trackways .4 and M5 receive .saidflanges and .bushings. Iheside plates -I I=I and .-I I2 are con- :nected together .by azseries .of zbolts L23.

cylinder 42'! having .a :flange l 28 is secured to the side plate I H .by-screws I29,-orthe like. miththe axis of .itsbore. I30earranged.to intersect the axis of the rotor II3. A piston I3I is reciprocably mounted in the cylinder bore I30 and is carried upon a connecting rod I32 which is formed with a transverse bore I33. An element E34, reciprocable in the socket I i6, is formed with a transverse bore (not shown) like the bore 35 of the element 34; and a pin I36 connects said elem'ent L34 withithe connectingrarod I32, having ca portion -oscillably received in the-bore of said element I34 and a portion oscillably reciprocably rreceived in the bore I33.

.A secondcylinder I38, provided with a flange I'39secure'dto the plate M2 by screws I40, or the .-.like,*has:the axis :of its bore aligned with the axis :of the .cylinder bore I 30, the line of said axes intersecting the axis of the rotor II3.

[Ehaoperationof the mechanism thus far described is, of course, identical with that of the =embodim'ent of my invention illustrated in Figs.

1, 2 and 3.

.-In :the ;pr.esent -.-embodiment 10f :the einvention, .the outer ;periphe1 -y|.of -the .rotor l I.3 carries :thfi rotor winding= I .4 |.Of.- .aneelectr-ic' motor; -and stator windings, snore .or .less diagrammatically indicated; at [.42 are-externally. operativelyassociated with said.rotor-:winding- I4I .iII]. this .embo diment of the invention, the gperipheries I44 1 and I45 rof .the plates I i-I 'an'd =I I -2 are, inturned rior. coopera- \tive' association with a closure ring I46 whichcen- 'closes "the motor parts.

Obviously, when themotoris energized, through the leads I47, the rotor I I3 wi1l be=drivenand the piston I3 I, together 'with .theipiston-.mounted in ?the wcylinder :I-S-B, will be reciprocate'd -.in xthe 'manner above described.

*wmur have referred-to: the:parts I4 hand 1M2 as motor parts; it willrbe :obvious that they may be iequallyowell consideredas; generator: parts; and :that .current willbe fed throug'htthe .leads 4.4!

H40 if the rpistons 'IQI are ire'ciprocated tto iproduce rotation 'of thezrotor :H'3.

Obviously, the cy1ind1ers52'1,.3.8, 'I21tanddr38eare more 1131 :less diagrammatically illustrated where; and in anmphysicalrembodimento'f the invention, those cylinders will be closed at their outert-ends "by zsuitalileiheads. .The rcylin'densmay the iparts of pumping mechanisms,-:orithey may-tbepartsrof internal :combustion engines or :fluid eexpansion engines.

.zIrclaimzas mysinvention:

1. Motion converting mechanism com'orising -a base, an .annular rotor moimted on said basedor rdtat'ron :about 'its own ax s, a 'chordal socket formed :in said rotor and intersecting the inner periphery "of "said rotor, an element 'reciprocably mountediin-said socket and-"formed with: a transverse .bore, -a-connecting rod intersecting thefiaxis 'ofrsaidrrotoiwanii formed with a transverse-bore, a pin :conne'cting rsaid element and sai'dconnectingzrodrandrreceivedin said elementboraand said connecting rod bore, .a piston operati'vel'y associatedwith said-connecting rod, and a:'cylin- ,der fixed with respectto said base'a'nd reciproca'bly receiving saidipiston.

*2. Motion z converting mechanism :comprising a base, an a'nnularrrotor mounte'dcon said these for rotation about its own axis, a :chordal socket formed in said rotor :and intersecting tthe :inner peripherywf said :rotor,::an :zelement reciprocabiy mounted in said socket: an'dffornrediwith: atransverse bore, a.connecting rodiintersecting theea/xis of "said .rotonand formed-with a transverse .bOIE, a .pin connectingi-said element and said-connecting-rod, saidpinhaving a p0Iti0n:DSCi11ab1y1:8-

.75 .ceived .inesaid .elementiibore and arportion-ioscile lably and reciprocably received in said connecting rod bore, a piston operatively associated with said connecting rod, and a cylinder fixed with respect to said base and reciprocably receiving said piston.

3. Motion converting mechanism comprising a base, an annular rotor mounted on said base for rotation about its own axis, a chordal socket formed in said rotor and intersecting the inner periphery of said rotor, an element reciprocably base, an annular rotor mounted on said base for rotation about its own axis, a chordal socket formed in said rotor and intersecting the inner periphery of said rotor, an element reciprocably mounted in said socket and formed with a transverse bore, a connecting rod intersecting and traversing the axis of said rotor and formed with a transverse bore, a pin connecting said element and said connecting rod, said pin having a portion oscillably received in said element bore and a portion oscillably and reciprocably received in said connecting rod bore, two pistons, respectively operativel associated with said connectin rod and equidistantly spaced from said connecting rod bore on opposite sides thereof, and a cylinder for each piston, said cylinders being fixed with respect to said base and respectively reciprocably receiving their associated pistons.

5. In a device of the class described, an annular rotor, a pair of side plates respectively associated with opposite surfaces of said rotor in oil-sealing and supporting relation, means independent of said rotor removably connecting said side plates together, one of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is oifset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said one plate and enveloping said aperture, a piston reciprocably received in said cylinder, and means providing a motion-converting connection between said rotor and said piston.

6. In a device of the class described,.an annular rotor, a pair of side plates respectively associated with opposite surfaces of said rotor in oil-sealing and supporting relation, means independent of said rotor removably connecting said side plates together, one of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is offset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said one plate and enveloping said aperture, a piston reciprocably received in said cylinder, the other of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is ofiset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said other plate and enveloping said last-named aperture, the axes of said cylinders being disposed in a common line intersecting the axis of said rotor, a piston reciprocably received in said first-named cylinder, a piston reciprocabl received in said secondnamed cylinder, connecting rod means for said pistons, and motion-connecting means connecting said rotor with said connecting rod means.

7. In a device of the class described, an annular rotor, a pair of side plates respectively associated with opposite surfaces of said rotor in oil-sealing and supporting relation, means independent of said rotor removably connecting said side plates together, one of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is offset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said one plate and enveloping said aperture, a piston reciprocably received in said cylinder, the other of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is ofiset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said other plate and enveloping said last-named aperture, the axes of said cylinders being disposed in a common line intersecting the axis of said rotor, a piston reciprocably received in said first-named cylinder, a piston reciprocably received in said secondnamed cylinder, a connecting rod common to said two pistons, and motion-converting means connecting said rotor with said common connecting rod.

8. In a device of the class described, an annular rotor, a chordal socket formed in said rotor and intersecting the inner periphery of said rotor, an element reciprocably mounted in said socket and formed with a transverse bore, a pair of side plates respectively associated with opposite surfaces of said rotor in supporting relation thereto, means independent of said rotor removably connecting said side plates together, one of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is offset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said one plate and enveloping said aperture, a piston reciprocably received in said cylinder, a connecting rod for said piston intersecting the axis of said rotor and formed with a transverse bore, and a pin connecting said element and said piston rod, and received in said element bore and said connecting rod bore.

9. In a device of the class described, an annular rotor, a chordal socket formed in said rotor and intersecting the inner periphery of said rotor, an element reciprocably mounted in said socket and formed with a transverse bore, a pair of side plates respectively associated with opposite surfaces of said rotor in supporting relation thereto, means independent of said rotor removably connecting said side plates together, one of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is offset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said one plate and enveloping said aperture, a piston reciprocably received in said cylinder, a connecting rod for said piston intersecting the axis of said rotor and formed with a transverse bore, and a pin connecting said element and said piston rod, said pin having a portion oscillably received in said element bore and a portion oscillably and reciprocably received in said connectin rod bore.

10. In a device of the class described, an annular rotor, a chordal socket formed in said rotor and intersecting the inner periphery of said rotor, an element reciprocably mounted in said socket and formed with a transverse bore, a pair of side plates respectively associated with opposite surfaces of said rotor in supporting relation thereto, means independent of said rotor removably connecting said side plates together, one of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is ofiset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said one plate and enveloping said aperture, a piston reciprocably received in said cylinder, the other of said plates being formed with an aperture whose center is ofiset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted :on said rother npiate sand aenveloping :said 'lastnamed aperture,"the axes of said cylinders being disposed in 3a common line intersecting the axis of said rotor, *a 3 piston :reciprocably received in said second-named "cylinder, connecting rod means for "said'pistonsintersecting and traversing :theraxis of saidrotor and formed :with: a trans- -verse:'bore,"and a pin connecting said eiement and said piston rodandrecivedin said element-bore =iand'saidconnecting rod'bore.

11. In adevice 'df' theclassdescribed, an annular rotor, a chordalsocketiormedin said rotor and: intersecting-the innerperiphery of 'said rotor, =-an element :reciprocably 'mounted in said socket 'and formed' withsa transverse bore, a pair of side plates respectively associated with opposite surfaces-of said rotor in supportingrelation thereto,

means independent of --saidrotoriremovablyr connecting said side plates together, one of said plates being formed with an aperture whosecenter is offset from the axis of said rotor, a cylinder mounted on said -'one:plate andenveloping said aperture, a piston -'reciprocably received in 1 said cylinder, the other of said :plates being formed with an aperture whose-center is offset fromthe axis of said :rotor, a cylinder mounted on said other plate and enveloping said last-namedap- 'ei'ture, the axes of sai'd'cylinders being disposed -in a common line intersecting the axis of said rotor, a piston reciprocably received in said second named:cylinizler, connecting rod means for said pistonsintersecting and traversin the axis 'of -saidrotor and-formed with atransverse bore, and a pin connecting said element and said "piston rod, said pin having a portion oscillably received insaid element boreand a' portion oscillably and 'reciprocably receivedin said connectingro'dbore.

12. In a'd-evice of :the c1ass:described,:an annular rotor,ra'pair of side plates respectively associated with opposite surfaces of said rotor in oil-sealing and supporting relation, means inderpendentpf-said rotor 'removably connecting said side plates togethen a chordlal socket formed in :said rotor and intersecting the inner periphery of saidrotor, an elementreciprocably mounted in-said rotor and formed With:a transversebore, .a fconnecting rod intersecting the axis of said rrotor and 1 formed :with a a transverse bore, a pin connecting-saidrelement and said connecting'rod and :received inisaid elementbore and in said connectingrod bore, a piston operatively associated with asaid connecting rod, and a cylinder fixed with relation to said plates: and reciprocably ,receiving saidipiston, said'pin and said element being formed with communicating oil passages.

13.1In aidevice ofthe'class described, an annu- .1ar :rotor, 1a pair of side plates respectively "associated with toppesitesurfaces of said rotor inchsealing and supporting relation; means independent of said rotor removably connecting said: side plates together, a chordal socket formed in-said rotor and'intersecting the inner periphery of'sa-id rotor, an element reciprocably mounted in-said rotor and formed with a transverse bore,'a connecting rod intersecting the axis of said rotor 'and formed'with a=transverse bore, a pin-connecting said element and said connecting rod,

said pin having a portion oscillably received in said element bore and a portion oscillably and reciprocably received in said connecting rod'bore,

a piston operatively" associated with said connecting rod, and a'cylin-der fixed with relation-tosaid plates and reciprocably' receiving said piston, said element being formed with a longitudinally-extending oil passagecommunicating'with itsibore, and'said 'pin being-formed with a longitudinally- 'extending'oil passage'provided, in the portionzof said pin'at' times located within said connecting rodi'bore, with a radially-opening port.

14. In a'device ofthe'classdescribedian annular rotor, a pair of side plates respectively'associated'with opposite surfaces of said rotorinloilsealing and'supporting' relation, means independent of said rotor removably connecting saidside platesitogether, 'a chor'dal socket formed in said rotor and intersecting the inner periphery :of

said rotor, an element reciprocably mountedin said rotor and formedwith a transverse bore,*a

connecting rod intersectingithe axis of said rotor and formed with atransverse'borea pin connecting said element and said connecting rod, said pin having a portion oscillablyreceived in said element bore and a portion oscillably an'd reciplocated within said connecting rod bore, with a radially-opening port.

FRED LANE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are ofrecord inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 772,022 ,Brinley Oct. l1,'I90.4 -1,213,850 .Emley Jan. 130, 1917 

